Introduction
Sergeant John T. Potter
JOHN TAYLOR POTTER was born in Camden, New Jersey on April 20, 1887 to Harry B. Potter and his wife the former Mary Taylor. His parents had been married the year before. John T. Potter’s maternal grandfather was John W. Taylor, a Virginia native who had served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army in 1861 and 1862. He came to New Jersey after the war and founded a produce business that flourished in Camden and at the Dock Street Market in Philadelphia. John W. Taylor passed away in 1892.
Harry Potter worked as a carpet weaver and as a driver throughout the 1880s and 1890s. The family moved around quite a bit in these years, living at seven different addresses between 1887 and 1898. They were at 241 Mt. Vernon Street in 1887, 247 Mt. Vernon in 1888, 216 Mt. Vernon in 1890, 1106 Baring Street in 1891, 831 Newton Avenue in 1892 and 1893, 2905 High Street in what was the Town of Stockton in 1894 and 1895. The Potters returned to South Camden, living at 640 Cherry Street in 1896, then moving to 1731 Fillmore Street where they lived in 1898 to 1901.
The Taylor family were still at 1731 Fillmore Street in 1900 when the Census was taken. The family consisted of Harry B. & Mary Potter, John T. Potter and his sister Mabel, aged 7, mother-in-law Mary Taylor and sister-in-law, Flora Taylor. Flora Taylor passed away later that year. Harry Taylor was working as a teamster. The Potters were at 561 Van Hook Street in 1902.
The 1904 City Directory and the 1905 New Jersey State Census show the Potter family at 1693 Mickle Street in East Camden. John T. Potter had gone to work as a morocco finisher, probably at the nearby Keystone Leather factory. His father was still working as a teamster. The Potters moved to 2933 High Street prior to the compilation of the 1906 City Directory. At some point prior in the late 1910s, John T. Potter served for three years as a private in the Battery B Field Artillery, New Jersey National Guard.
On December 21, 1910 John T. Potter married Laura Cary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Cary of 624 York Street, in the parsonage of Linden Baptist Church. On October 18, 1911 a son, John C. Potter, was born.
John T. Potter was appointed to the Camden Police Department by Mayor Charles H. Ellis on April 17, 1912. He was then living at 2933 High Street. In 1914 the Potter family was at 2927 High Street. A daughter, Mary, came along on March 4, 1914. City Directories from 1915 through 1917 reveal the Potters residing at 2908 Cramer Street. By June of 1917, when John T. Potter registered for the draft, the family had moved to 2935 High Street, where they stayed into early 1920. The 1921 and 1922 Directories show the Potters at 303 North 27th Street, and the 1923 and 1924 editions have them at 121 North 26th Street. The Potters moved to 415 Elm Street prior to the compilation of the 1926 City Directory. John T. Potter subsequently bought a home, at 298 Burwood Avenue, where he and his family lived until 1940.
John T. Potter was promoted to Detective in the early 1920s and served as an Acting Sergeant at times until he was confirmed. In June of 1934 Sergeant Potter was made chief clerk of the Camden Police Department, succeeding Arthur Colsey, who had been promoted to Chief of Police.
John T. Potter retired on May 31, 1940 after serving the City of Camden for twenty-five years. His retirement was bittersweet, having been passed over promotion to Lieutenant for ten years, despite having the top score when the Civil Service test was given in 1930.
After retirement, John T. Potter and his wife Laura moved to Wildwood, New Jersey, where they had a summer home. He took a job with the city of Wildwood’s maintenance office. John T. Potter passed away at Cooper Hospital on April 20, 1959. He was buried at Locustwood Memorial Park in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey.
Not checked against a scan. The following items on this page are transcribed from site copies or printed books whose scans are not in the scan mirror, or are captions for photographs with no printed text; their wording has not been verified against the printed page:
- Jobless Son Kills Jake Schiller Who Saves Boy's Wife From Gun — Camden Evening Courier — September 18, 1933 (story body is a site copy; only the portrait strip is scanned)
Death Notice of Flora L. Taylor
Camden Post-Telegram —
TAYLOR.—On August 21, 1900, Flora L., daughter of Mary H. and the late Captain John W. Taylor.
The relatives and friends of the family, also members of the Trinity M. E. Sunday school, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday afternoon, August 26, at 2.30 o’clock, from the residence of her brother-in-law, Harry B. Potter, No. 1731 Fillmore street, Camden, N. J. Services at Trinity M. E. church, at 3.15 o’clock. Interment private, at Evergreen Cemetery.
Camden Post-Telegram — January 5, 1911
This article appeared in the Camden Post-Telegram on January 5, 1911, featuring John T. Potter in relation to Linden Baptist Church and the York Street and High Street areas of Camden.
Mayor Ellis Appoints John Potter
Camden Daily Courier —
Charles H. Ellis — John T. Potter
Mayor Ellis yesterday afternoon appointed John Potter as a member of the police force and assigned him to the Third District.
Coursey Breaks Down While Story of Cold-Blooded Killing of Karl Kellmann Is Told by Detective
Camden Post-Telegram —
Two “Pals,” Too, Accused of Crime
Harry Duffield. Fred. Coursey. Linnans Staley.
Trio Accused of Murder, Coursey Firing the Shots.
Collapsing when arraigned in Police Court this morning before Recorder Stackhouse on the charge of killing Karl Kellmann, aged 18 years, of 2919 High street, at Twenty-seventh and Sherman streets, shortly before midnight Saturday, Fred Coursey, alias “Mexican Pete,” alias “Cowboy Pete,” aged 20 years, of 121 North Twenty-first street, who admits firing the fatal shots while committing robbery, and Harry Duffield, aged 21 years, of 407 North Forty-first street, who acknowledged masking his face with a handkerchief and being with Coursey, sobbed piteously, resting their heads on the railing of the dock, while John Painter, the veteran detective, was briefly reciting the story.
When Recorder Stackhouse asked what became of the young man who was shot and Painter replied that he died, Coursey and Duffield sobbed afresh, and when Recorder Stackhouse committed them without bail Policemen Frost and Kay had to help them.
Linnans Staley, aged 21 years, of 1819 Federal street, who confessed that he was in the robbery plot but later got scared and hid in the bushes, was scarcely able to stand, and when his mother broke down as he was committed as a principal he staggered and would have fallen but for Sergeant McClong.
Prosecutor Boyle announced this morning that the Grand Jury will be recalled for Thursday of this week and the case will be made the special order of the day.
Without the slightest clue to start with in the most brutal murder committed in recent years in Camden county, police and detectives under the personal direction of Chief Gravenor in two hours arrested two of the three prisoners and obtained their signatures to confessions and before sunrise the other was lodged behind the bars at the City Hall.
According to their statements to the police the prisoners while drinking on a lot near Twenty-first and Federal streets on Saturday night planned to go to a lone spot near Twenty-seventh and Sherman streets to hold someone up to get money and jewelry to buy more drink. Coursey had a 38-calibre cowboy pistol and Duffield used Coursey’s bandanna as a mask. Staley weakened before the spot selected was reached and at the time of the murder was hiding in a clump of weeds a short distance away.
The murdered boy was the son of Karl and Lulu D. Kellmann. He was a member of the Bible class of Grace Presbyterian Church, East Side, and active in church work.
Saturday night was the closing of a carnival given on High street between Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth streets. Karl was there and made several purchases. At one booth he bought a necktie, from another some ice cream and a box of candy and spent some time conversing with the young ladies connected with the church.
When it grew rather late he noticed that Misses Bertha and Bessie Skillen, of 815 North Thirty-fourth street, the latter a teacher in Grace Church Sunday-school, were without an escort and he volunteered to see them home. They accepted his invitation to be their escort. He saw them safely home and he was on his way back and had reached a point on the east side of Twenty-seventh street south of Sherman street and near the foot of the bridge that spans the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks when two men jumped out from behind a tree and as one commanded him to hold up his hands the other began to shoot.
The first shot struck him in the breast and turned him partially around. The next ploughed a hole through his neck, knocking him down, and the third went wide.
Screaming for help he tried to rise to his feet and was on his knees when Night Yardmaster Albert Ludlow and Brakeman Joseph Wittick, who were on the opposite side of the bridge, ran to his assistance. By the light of their lanterns they saw that he was seriously hurt and they took him to ’Squire Sasse’s house nearby to await the arrival of the ambulance. As the railroaders sped across the bridge Ludlow saw a man run down the tracks in the direction of Seventeenth street.
In the signal tower at Pavonia station known as C. B. the operator, Thomas Sink, heard the shots and cries for help and ’phoned to Captain James at Police Headquarters that a murder had been committed. Sink also saw a man run down through the weeds and bushes on the east side of the bridge toward the railroad tracks.
Policeman Hurlock and Schmid, ’Squire and Mrs. Sasse and several others were out on the street before the railroad men reached the Sasse home and all hurried to ’phones to notify police headquarters.
In less than five minutes by use of the red light system Captain James had every officer on duty on the East Side hurrying to the scene, officers stationed at every bridge, ferry house and railroad terminal, and the downtown auto with Detectives Schregler, Painter, Brothers and Moffett on its way to East Camden.
On information from the railroad men Sergeant Horner took all the East Side officers and the four detectives and they worked westward among the cars while Captain James started Policemen Colsey and Kelly to walk eastward from Fifteenth street until they met the main body.
The search proved fruitless and as they returned to the bridge one of the men picked up a green bandanna with yellow spots and sheep burrs embeded [sic] on it on the incline near the signal tower. Later he recalled that the man who went down the slope wore a Khaki shirt and cap.
The handkerchief was recognized as the kind used by “Indian Bill” May, and Detectives Brothers and Policeman Abbott were sent to arrest him. They found May and Eugene Cafferty asleep in a moving van in Marlton avenue. “Indian Bill” soon established an alibi.
Detective Schregler and a couple of officers who were sure that the description of the man with the khaki shirt tallied with Duffield started for his brother’s house, but failed to find him there. About this time the downtown auto turned into Twenty-seventh street to get Karl’s father, mother and sister and take them to the hospital. Councilman Finkeldey and a friend shouted to the crew that a woman was down and out on a step nearby, but the crew yelled back that they were on an emergency run and the woman would keep until they returned. Fireman J. H. Vickers walked across the street to investigate and found that the supposed woman was Duffield and that he seemed to be asleep.
Vickers shook him and as he got up he said something about the shooting that aroused Vickers’ curiosity and he ’phoned to Police Headquarters. Captain James immediately notified Chief Gravenor, who was on the scene and the latter sent Detective Moffett to investigate. When Moffett arrived he learned that Duffield had taken a Westfield avenue car. Moffett returned to the bridge and he and Detective Painter and Chief Gravenor took the down-town auto for Duffield’s home.
Painter went to the front door and saw Duffield in the act of taking off his shoes. Moffett in going around to the back door to prevent his escape that way passed by the window at which Duffield was sitting.
Grasping Duffield by the collar Moffett pulled him through the window to the ground. As soon as he landed on his feet, according to the Chief and detectives, Duffield said that Coursey did the shooting.
Placing him in the auto they next drove close to Coursey’s home and with Policeman Potter who knew the man wanted, the detectives entered the house with drawn revolvers while other officers guarded all avenues of escape.
Coursey was found akwake [sic] on a cot and while he was covered with revolvers Detective Painter searched his trunk and found the weapon that he later admitted using. It was empty. The detectives late yesterday afternoon found three used shells adjoining the house near a spot where Coursey said he had thrown them.
In order to keep the men apart they were taken to the City Hall separately and questioned and after they decided to tell all Sergeant E. B. McClong reduced their statements to writing and they signed them. It was on the strength of these statements that Staley was arrested.
Young Kellmann was taken into the hospital at 12.20 a. m. Chief Surgeon Schellenger saw at a glance that there was no hope for him and so notified Captain James, and Sergeant McClong was sent to the hospital to get all information possible.
The unfortunate youth could only speak a few words at a time because of the hemorrhages. All Sergeant McClong was able to get from him was that he was told to hold up his hands and that the shooting instantly began. The only description he could give was that they were small men and that the attack was so sudden that he could not tell whether they were black or white.
The injured young man kept asking the doctors if he was going to die, but they did not answer. He was conscious when his father and mother arrived and then sank rapidly until the end, dying at 1.50 o’clock, 90 minutes after he was admitted. Mother and father were prostrated and were taken home by the up-town auto.
County Physician Jones conducted the autopsy yesterday morning. He said that either wound would have caused death. The bullet in the breast pierced the right lung at the top and lodged in the cavity. It is now in the doctor’s possession. The other bullet went clear through the neck.
Coursey and Duffield have been working in the Pavonia car yard. The former was born in El Paso, Texas, but has lived East nearly all his life. He is an expert shot and was a member of the vaudeville team of Coursey & Cook, according to their letter heads presenting a fifteen-minute thriller.
Duffield was only recently paroled for robbing Gallagher’s saloon, Nineteenth and Federal streets of a lot of drinkables. Staley has been arrested several times on petty charges but was never convicted of crime. When Duffield’s coat was examined at the City Hall, it was found to contain sheep burrs.
To a reporter Coursey said that whenever he was drinking he had to get his gun and shoot something or somebody. He insisted that all were in on the job and that they let the man who preceded Kellman go over the bridge without molestation because he didn’t look as if he had any too much money.
Yesterday morning Assistant Prosecutor Wolverton and Stenographer Cleary called at the City Hall. The prisoners were examined by Mr. Wolverton and their statements taken by Mr. Cleary, but there was little or nothing new elicited.
Police Carnival Was a Gigantic Success
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Considered one of the most successful events ever given in Camden, the second annual industrial show and carnival of the Camden Police Beneficial Association came to a close in the Third Regiment Armory Saturday night with the “crowning of the queen.” Miss Margaret Rudolph, daughter of Chas. Rudolph, of Master street, was accorded that honor. It is estimated that during the week more than 30,000 persons visited the armory and participated in the festivities.
The committee that had charge of the affair included Milton Stanley, Captain Edward Hyde, Sergeant E. B. McClong, Frank Crawford, Peter Gondolf, William Lvone [sic], Harry Miller, Arthur Colsey, Thomas Reed, William Potter, Tabor Quinn, Charles Whaland, George Anderson, Albert Shaw, Sergeant Horner and Thomas Cunningham.
World War I Draft Card
John T. Potter — World War I Draft Registration Card
Take Sergeant Examination
Camden Post-Telegram —
District Detective Raymond H. Stark, Acting Sergeant John Potter and Mounted Officer Clarence Thorne, of the Third District, were among those who took the examination for appointment as sergeant for the district to fill a vacancy which exists there.
Lewis Brill, of the Eleventh ward, had also been summoned, but he with two others were not given the examination, but told to report on Tuesday of next week.
Acting Sergeant Boettcher was also slated to take the examination, but for some reason his name was dropped from the list and was not called.
Mounted Officer Joseph Shreve, whose name has been mentioned for the appointment, also was not summoned to take the examination.
The candidates who did appear are all now on the anxious bench awaiting the decision.
Potter Children Return from Vacation
Camden Post-Telegram —
Elizabeth and John Potter, Jr., the two children of Acting Sergeant and Mrs. John Potter, of North Twenty-sixth street, have returned from their vacation sojourn at Kirkwood with relatives.
Camden Post-Telegram — February 9, 1924
POTTER.—On Feb. 8, 1924, Mary, wife of Harry B. Potter, aged 61 years. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral on Tuesday, at 2 p.m., from her late residence, 2416 Carman st., Camden. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call Monday eve.
East Camden Sergeant
Camden Daily Courier —
East Camden may draw a sergeant from the eligible list. The results of the examination shows Harry Newton and John T. Potter, of the Third district and Robey Thompson of the Second as the three high men. Newton and Potter had excellent averages and it is believed either has a good chance to land the honor. The Third, it is argued, is entitled to a sergeant. None was named to succeed former sergeant Ferdinand Sell who was pensioned several months ago.
5 Policemen Added to Detective Detail
Camden Courier-Post —
Dolan, Sapanore, Truax, Kelly and Smith Assigned
Pleas by Captain Golden of the Detective Bureau that the department was undermanned and overworked has resulted in the assigning of five policemen as acting detectives.
They are William Dolan, acting sergeant of the First District; Rox Sapanore, Frank Truax, Edward Smith and Anson Kelly.
Dolans’ place is being taken by Sergeant Ralph Bakely, transferred from the Third District. Sergeant John Potter goes from the Second District to the Third to replace Bakely, and Patrolman John Skolski becomes acting sergeant to replace Potter.
Patrolman William Whaland becomes acting sergeant to take over the duties of Sergeant James Clay, who is seriously ill in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital of pneumonia.
5 New Lieutenants Appointed by Rhone Await Assignments
Camden Courier-Post —
Two More Patrolmen to be Promoted Under New Ordinance
ONE MADE SERGEANT
Pending official designation of their new posts, five members of the Camden police department who were appointed lieutenants yesterday and a sixth, who was named sergeant, continued in their former capacity when they went on duty today.
Director of Public Safety David S Rhone, who announced the promotions and swore in the officers late yesterday, stated this morning that he has not yet determined where he will station them. That will be done within a few days, the commissioner averred.
Two more lieutenants remain to be appointed apropos of a recent city ordinance which stipulated that the new stations will not be designated until all seven lieutenants are named. One will be placed in charge of each of the four police districts, and one each in the traffic and motorcycle squads, and one at headquarters.
Those who were elevated to lieutenancy are:
Sergeant George W. Frost, 956 Pine street; Sergeant Walter T. Welch, 518 Benson street; Acting Lieutenant Ralph W. Bakley, 602 Clinton street; Sergeant Charles Laib, 76 South Twenty-fourth street, who has been acting captain, and Acting Lieutenant George Ward, 1437 Kaighn avenue.
Patrolman Clarence Thorn was also sworn in as sergeant of the mounted squad of the department. He succeeds Welch.
The lieutenancies pay an annual salary of $2500, and one year from this date, each of the lieutenants will be eligible to take Civil Service examination for elevation to a captaincy, which carries a yearly stipend of $3200.
The five who were made lieutenants were among ten members of the department who recently took the Civil Service examinations for lieutenancy. Welsh [sic] and Laib were among the three having the highest ranking in the tests, being second and third respectively. Under Civil Service rules, the director had to select at least one of the three first in ranking in the examination, but he could select any other six.
The ten who took the examination and their grades as unofficially announced in Trenton follow:
Sergeant John T. Potter, 298 Burwood avenue, 89.64; Sergeant Walter T. Welch, 518 Benson street, 87.75; Sergeant Charles Laib, 76 South Twenty-fourth street; Acting Lieutenant Bakley, 602 Clinton street, 87.11; Sergeant George W. Frost, 956 Pine street, 86.31; Acting Lieutenant Ward, 1437 Kaighn avenue, 85.83; Sergeant Herbert Anderson, 496 Newton avenue, 84.79; Sergeant Samuel E. Johnson, 526 North Front street, 84.71; Sergeant Harry G. Newton, 118 North Twenty-fifth street, 83.18, and Acting Lieutenant Cunningham, 1114 Kaighn avenue, 81.78.
2 Police Officers Made Lieutenants
Camden Courier-Post —
Rhone Reported Ready to Make Five Patrolmen Sergeant
Reports that five members of the Camden police department will be promoted to sergeants tomorrow were circulated, today after announcement that two sergeants had been appointed lieutenant.
Those who, according to rumors, will be elevated to sergeant are Nathan Petit, of the second police district, to be assigned to the traffic squad; Gus Koerner, detective bureau; Walter Rowand, first district; Frank Truax, Second district, and Edward Hahn, third district.
The two new lieutenants who took oath of office yesterday are Samuel Johnson and Thomas Cunningham. The former was a sergeant of police attached to the detective bureau and will continue in that department, while Cunningham, while a sergeant, was acting lieutenant in day command at the fourth district. He remains in that district. The appointments were announced yesterday by Commissioner David S. Rhone, director of public safety.
Both were immediately administered oaths of office by Dr. Rhone’s secretary, Bayard M. Sullivan, at the director’s office. Lieutenant Cunningham is already eligible for retirement, having served more than 20 years on the city police force.
The two appointments complete the seven lieutenancies created by a city ordinance. Ten members of the police department passed civil service examinations for the post, which pays an annual salary of $2500. Each must serve one year as lieutenant before becoming eligible to take examination for captaincy.
The five previously appointed lieutenants are George Frost, now night commander of the fourth district; Walter Welch, third district; Charles Laib, a sub-commander of the traffic bureau under Captain Charles T. Humes, traffic Inspector; Ralph Bakley, second district; and George Ward, first district.
The other three candidates who passed the examination, Sergeants John T. Potter, Herbert Anderson and Harry I. Newton, did not receive lieutenancies, although Potter had the highest percentage in the tests.
In Family Tragedy
Camden Evening Courier —
JACOB SCHILLER WILLIAM SCHILLER
Jobless Son Kills Jake Schiller Who Saves Boy’s Wife From Gun
Camden Evening Courier —
SLAYER CRAZED BY SEPARATION, RELATIVES SAY
Dazedly Insists He Had No Intention of Shooting Sire
ESTRANGED WIFE SEEN IN SUICIDE TRY
Slain Man Long Was Prominent Figure in Camden Politics
Jacob Schiller, 72, for 45 years a political figure here, is dead, shot by his own son.
The slayer, William Schiller, 30, a former summer policeman now unemployed, was held over today to the grand jury on a charge of murder. He made no comment whatever during his police court hearing.
A few hours later, young Schiller’s wife, Augusta, whom he had also tried to shoot, was found wandering through the city street, in a hysterical condition.
She had written a note which police believed showed intent to commit suicide, and had staggered dazedly through the streets last night. Both in her note and in her incoherent statements to detectives she declared she was to blame for the tragedy.
She said her father-in-law had tried to save her and was killed in the attempt.
The slaying occurred Saturday night at the elder Schiller’s home, 2420 Carman Street. It climaxed an estrangement between young Schiller and his wife, with “Jake” Schiller attempting to reconcile the couple.
Mrs. William Schiller, who had had her husband arrested several months ago, said she believed he had become mentally deranged, but Police Judge Pancoast was informed that an alienist had examined young Schiller in July and pronounced him sane.
Couple Separated
Young Schiller had been living with his father at the Carman Street address, while Mrs. Schiller has been residing with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John I. Green, 409 North Thirty-seventh Street. The cause of the estrangement has not been revealed by police, but it is stated that young Schiller refused to consent to a reconciliation.
“Jake” Schiller was a Republican worker in the Twelfth ward for years, and was at the time of his death inspector of city street lights.
Were Alone at Home
The father and son were at home 9:00 p.m. Saturday night and apparently were quarreling when the young Mrs. Schiller, her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. William Miller and another sister, Mrs. Lottie Bennehler, reached the house.
“Don’t come in here,” the older Schiller shouted as they started to enter the front sun parlor. But Miller did enter and said young Schiller was clutching a revolver in his right hand. He declared he closed in on his brother-in-law and tried to wrench the revolver from him. Two shots rang out and the father fell to the floor.
Patrolman Joseph Keefe was standing at Twenty-fifth and Federal Streets when two boys ran up and told him there was a shooting at Twenty-fifth and Carman Street. He ran to the scene and said he reached there in time to see young Schiller shooting up the street at his wife.
Keefe said Schiller ran into the house when he saw him. Aided by Miller, Keefe overpowered Schiller and placed an iron claw on his right hand after disarming him.
Jacob Schiller Jr., another son, learning of the shooting, went to his father’s home and took him to Cooper Hospital in a passing automobile. As he was being taken into the hospital he failed to recognize City Detective Robert Ashenfelter and died five minutes later.
Expresses No Regret
Police Sergeant John Potter joined Keefe and Miller and they took young Schiller to police headquarters.
Keefe said the son expressed no regret at shooting his father.
At about 5 a.m. today, Policeman Keefe was patrolling his “beat” when he passed the Schiller home on Carman Street. He noticed the front door was standing open, and he went inside to investigate.
The officer saw a note on a smoking stand. Picking it up, he read:
“Dear Everybody:
“Please forgive me … You have all been so wonderful … But I couldn’t go on to see you all suffer for what is my fault … Lottie was right … He killed his father because of insane love for me … But he didn’t. I killed Pop and now am sending Bibs to jail for my weakness.
“Tell him I love him and ask my poor mother and dad to forgive me. I should have done this long ago and saved everyone all this suffering … I love Billy and I know he loves me but I am afraid he has been turned against me. But I forgive him for all.
“Gussie”
“Gussie” is Mrs. Schiller.
Finds ‘Gussie’ Hysterical
Keefe ran to Federal Street, but could not see Mrs. Schiller.
Meanwhile, Constable Dugan of the Twelfth Ward, saw Mrs. Schiller walking on Federal Street near the Cooper River. She was mumbling to herself and was in a hysterical condition, Dugan said.
Dugan telephoned police headquarters. City Detectives Rox Saponare and Maurice DeNicoli went out Federal Street and took her back with them to detective headquarters. There they sought to quiet her, but she continually sobbed.
“I want to take the blame—if I hadn’t gone to Pop’s home he would be living now.”
“Pop wanted to save me,” she said. “and he was shot. I can’t eat or sleep. I think I’m going crazy.”
Later, she was permitted to return to the home.
Young Schiller had been held in the city jail over the weekend. Today he was taken into police court. He wore no necktie and carried a raincoat over his arm. He was represented by counsel, C. Lawrence Gregorio, who said he had been retained “by friends” to act as attorney for the accused man.
City detective Benjamin Simon had signed the complaint in which he charged “on information received” that Schiller did feloniously and with malice aforethought shoot and kill his father.
The complaint was read to him and Gregorio told him not to say anything, as Judge Pancoast would enter a plea of “not guilty” in his behalf. This was done by the court and Schiller was then held without bail pending grand jury action. He was taken to the county jail.
Declared Sane
After the hearing, Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, acting overseer of the poor, told Judge Pancoast that on July 26, Dr. Harry Jarrett, Broadway and Cherry Street, well known alienist, had examined young Schiller and declared him sane. The examination was made on the request of Mrs. Schiller in police court on the previous day. At that time young Schiller had been released by the court in the custody of his father.
County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran, who was among the first to question young Schiller Saturday night, said the man did not seem repentant over what he had done. He said Schiller did not give authorities much information. According to Doran, young Schiller declared he had objected frequently to his father that he did not want his wife to come to their home.
“It doesn’t seem possible,” said young Mrs. Schiller some hours after the tragedy. “It seems as though it was only a dream. I don’t seem to remember anything.
“Poor Bill. He must have been crazy. He idolized his father. You can blame this all on the depression. He has been without work since they eliminated summer policemen two years ago. He has been worried as a result of being unable to obtain work. Just recently he started to drink.
“Bill intended to shoot me but his father tried to get the gun away from him and I believe it went off accidentally. Nothing could convince me that Bill would shoot his father in cold blood.
“I went to his father’s home last night to try to effect a reconciliation with my husband. He had been drinking.”
Registered as Sober
The police docket at headquarters shows Schiller registered as sober. The entry was not made until 2:15 a.m., and the shooting occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m.
Relatives said the father had attempted for months to patch up the marital difficulties of the couple.
Young Schiller had been living lately with his sister, Mrs. Bennehler, 2530 Bank Street and his wife with her parents at 409 North Thirty-seventh Street. He formerly lived at that address with his wife. He was appointed a summer policeman in 1929 and served until they were all dismissed two years ago.
Coroner Holl and Dr. Edward B. Rogers, county physician, yesterday performed an autopsy on the senior Schiller’s body and ascertained that death was due to an internal hemorrhage caused by a bullet wound of the upper portion of the abdomen. They said a .32-calibre revolver had been used in the shooting.
Camden Lodge of Elks will hold services tomorrow night at the Schiller home, at which time the body will be on view. The funeral will be private on Wednesday with burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Judge Pancoast last night recalled that young Schiller was arrested two months ago after he had kept his wife a prisoner on a lot all night. At that time “Jake,” as he was affectionately known to his friends, tried to act as a mediator between his son and daughter-in-law.
The young Mrs. Schiller at that time told Pancoast she believed her husband was deranged and asked permission to have him examined by physicians she would name. Pancoast released young Schiller in the custody of his father. The police judge said the examination had apparently not been made as no commitment papers had been sent through his office.
Few political workers were better known than “Jake” Schiller. He was born in Philadelphia and was brought to Camden in early life by his parents, who conducted a saloon near Twenty-third and Federal Streets. East Camden was then the town of Stockton and the scene of Saturday night’s shooting was a farm. Schiller recalled to friends that he drove cows through a pasture on which his house now stands.
He was originally a Democrat but became a Republican through persuasion of the late U. S. Senator David Baird and remained a friend of the former leader for 40 years.
Schiller had been melancholy over the death of his wife on February 13 last, friends said.
When his son was arrested he remarked to Pancoast: “What is next?”
Figured in Shaw Case
None was more in the public eye 35 years ago in South Jersey than Schiller. It was then that he figured prominently in one phase of the locally celebrated Shaw murder trial.
It was during the second trial of Eli Shaw for the murder of his mother and grandmother, Mrs. Anna Shaw and Mrs. Emma Zane. They were found shot to death in September, 1897, in their bedroom of their home on Line Street near Third. Detective John Painter had found a revolver hidden in the chimney, one of several points in the circumstantial evidence that resulted in the indictment of Shaw. He was then a widely known young man about town and his arrest caused a big sensation. As time drew near for the trial feeling was intense, for there were adherents for and against the son and grandson, those arguments often grew bitter.
Henry Sidney Scovel, then one of the prominent criminal lawyers of Camden county, was retained to defend Shaw. Scovel was son of James Matlack Scovel, himself one of the leading barristers of this section. When the trial of Shaw was under way the city was astounded when it was charged Scovel had tampered with the jury. It was Schiller who made the charge.
The trial stopped abruptly. Scovel emphatically denied the story of Schiller and demanded vindication. An indictment for embracery was returned and at a trial, which had Camden on the tip toe of expectancy for days, it developed there was absolutely nothing to verify the charge, and Scovel was acquitted. He acted in two subsequent trials of Shaw, the second being a disagreement and the third acquittal for the son and grandson of the slain women.
Schiller, strangely enough, in later years became friendly with Scovel and when the latter was prosecutor from 1905 to 1912, “Jake,” as he was familiarly known, was usually to be found in the office at the courthouse. Scovel was then a white haired man of flowery speech and impressive personality who let bygones be bygones.
Long Excise Inspector
For more than 20 years Schiller was inspector of the Excise Commission in Camden. It was during the days when the principal object of the inspector apparently was to keep the saloonmen in line. He was considered pretty good at that job, by no means an unimportant one from the organization viewpoint. It was also during that period the city had its troubles enforcing the Sunday liquor laws. There were those who considered they had enough pull to keep their back or side doors open on the Sabbath to let in their regular thirsty trade. Some succeeded in getting by, but “Jake” had his own troubles in keeping the boys straight and sometimes causing their arrest, although that was not frequent by any means.
His reign as inspector, too, was in the halcyon days of free lunch and schooner beers. Saloonmen themselves were against the lunch idea eventually since it meant too much of a financial burden. Jake kept tabs on the recalcitrants so that the liquor dealers knew who was obeying the order and who was “cutting corners” to get some extra trade.
Schiller was virtually raised with the saloon trade since his father was one of the old time German beer garden owners here, having had a place at Fourth and Line Streets. That was in the days when that section was largely populated by the German, English and Irish families lately come from the motherlands. When he was a boy, Schiller entered the U. S. Navy and served several years. When he came out he went to the old Town of Stockton, now East Camden, where he opened a saloon on Federal Street near Twenty-fourth. At that period, some 45 years ago, Stockton seethed with politics and it was just as natural for a young man to get into the game as it was for a duck to swim. Jake at that period was a Democrat and during the battle in the middle 90’s when the West Jersey Traction and the Camden Horse Railway Company were fighting for the rail franchises in the town he was a candidate for council from the old Second Ward. The late Robert Lee was the Republican candidate and won out by the narrow margin of two votes. In later years Schiller became a Republican and was elected a constable.
Never Ran From Scrap
Throughout his career Schiller never quite forgot his training in the navy, particularly with reference to boxing or fighting at the drop of a hat. He was a scrapper in his early years and never ran from a fight. That was just as true in political battles, frequent then around the polls, as in purely personal matters. And Jake would battle for a friend just as readily as for any personal reason. He was usually in the thick of the political fracases of the years when it was the accepted thing to fight at the drop of a hat. But he also had lots of native wit which kept things interesting when he was a frequenter of the prosecutors’ office during the Scovel and Wolverton regimes. In late years, with the approach of age, he had tempered his propensity to get into an argument and liked nothing more than to tell of “the good old days” when he helped the elder Baird in his organization battles.
He made his last political stand for leadership of the Twelfth Ward in 1926 when he supported the candidacy of Sergeant Ray Smith against Commissioner Clay W. Reesman for ward committeeman. Schiller was supporting Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and the late Senator Joseph H. Forsyth in a campaign against former Congressman Francis F. Patterson and State Senator Albert S. Woodruff.
Reesman won and among the first to visit the hospital after learning of the shooting was the city commissioner. Reesman was his latest chief as lights inspector as he was attached to the highway department. Commissioner Frank B. Hanna also visited the hospital.
“In all the years I have known him he has always been an enthusiastic and loyal friend with a good heart for everybody in trouble,” Congressman Wolverton said when he learned of Schiller’s death.
Schiller was also a familiar figure at the Elks Club, where he was an ardent card player. But after the death of his wife he gave up this pastime, contenting himself with watching the games. He was also a frequent visitor among old friends at the courthouse.
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Camden Evening Courier —
FEITZ MURDER, CITY GRAFTING TO FACE INQUIRY
Action Follows Parley With Orlando and Mayor on Conditions
MORE SUSPENSIONS OF POLICE INTIMATED
Mickey Blair Quizzed on Detective’s Killing; Stewart Warns, ‘Clean Up’
Questioned in Feitz Murder
Michael Tenerelli, 25, known in pugilistic circles as Mickey Blair, is shown above during a lull in the questioning by detectives investigating the murder of District Detective William Feitz. Tenerelli surrendered to police yesterday and on order of Prosecutor Orlando was held without bail on charges of being a material witness and with conspiracy in a robbery in connection with the holdup in progress in the South Camden alleged disorderly house at the time Feitz was shot.
Ward Reported on Way Out as Detective Chief
Reports around Camden police and detective headquarters today were to the effect that Lieutenant George Ward was on “his way out” as head of the Detective Bureau.
Dissatisfaction with the manner in which both police and detectives have handled the investigation so far into the Feitz murder will result in Mayor Stewart, director of public safety, ordering a change in detective chiefs today, it was authoritatively learned.
Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, commander of the First Police District, will succeed Lieutenant Ward as it was reported, the latter being sent back to that police precinct which he formerly commanded.
“A sweeping investigation of all phases of “crime” in Camden County, will be the first order given the new September Grand Jury today after it is sworn in at Camden Courthouse by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
That was the decision reached by Justice Lloyd after three hours of separate conferences with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, of Camden County, and Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of public safety. During the conferences held in Justice Lloyd’s offices at City Hall-Courthouse, the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz, alleged graft and corruption in the Camden police department and protected vice were thoroughly discussed.
Today, Mayor Stewart, who has inaugurated his own personal investigation of existing conditions in the police department, continued to question and take statements from police officials, patrolmen and detectives. Twenty-three patrolmen and detectives were ordered before the mayor yesterday in addition to the 12 others who were indefinitely suspended by order of Police Chief Arthur Colsey.
Tenerelli Quizzed
Michael Tenerelli, 25, also known as Mickey Blair, former Camden lightweight boxer, was still being questioned at police headquarters in connection with the murder of Detective Feitz. Tenerelli who surrendered to police here yesterday after returning from New York, is booked as a material witness and on a charge of conspiracy in a robbery. Both charges were ordered placed against Tenerelli by Prosecutor Orlando who has assumed direct charge of the investigation. He is being held without bail.
Seven other men and women taken into custody by police after the shooting of Feitz in the alleged disorderly house operated by the late Mrs. Emma Heisler at 243 Sycamore street, were to have been arraigned in Camden Police Court today on orders of Prosecutor Orlando and then turned over to the county authorities. Bail, Prosecutor Orlando declared, would be “sufficiently high” to insure their later appearances when wanted.
However there were no appearances of material witnesses or others in the Feitz investigation before Judge J. Harry Switzer in Camden Police Court during its session today and it was unofficially reported that the prosecutor had changed his plans.
Police Chief Colsey warned all detectives and patrolmen in the department that further suspensions will follow justified complaints of vice anywhere in the city limits if it can be traced to police neglect.
Chief Colsey also admitted that the 12 patrolmen and detectives suspended yesterday on his orders, will receive no pay as long as their suspensions last.
In addition to Lieutenant Bakley, Sergeant Cornog and Acting Sergeant Leonard, the others suspended include Sergeant Walter Mattison of police headquarters; Sergeant John Garrity, District Detective Joseph H. Leonhardt who was with Feitz when he was shot; Patrolmen Leon Branch, George Weber, Thomas Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones, all attached to the Second district station.
Interviews Police
Three of the suspended officers, Mayor Stewart revealed, were among those interrogated yesterday. They are Lieut. Ralph A. Bakley, commander of the Second Police District or Division “H” in which territory the alleged disorderly house existed where Feitz was fatally shot; Sergeant Richard Cornog and Acting [lines between the bottom of crop 15 and the top of crop 16 are not captured in the scanned crops]
Edwin Andrews, Winslow township; Joseph Dougherty, 140 Prospect avenue, Merchantville.
William Tomlinson, Glendale, Voorhees township; Edmund S. Stafford, 546 Stevens street; Harry Buffington, 123 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn; Samuel A. Dobbins, 2599 Baird boulevard; Charles H. Thatcher, 129 Kendall boulevard, Oaklyn; Richard S. Thompson, East Zane avenue, Collingswood; Benjamin F. Stemmer, 420 Third Avenue, Haddon Heights; Horace J. Harvey, 721 Amherst avenue, Audubon; H. B. Cox, Evesham avenue, Voorhees township; Dr. Walter F. Wood, Collingswood; John W. Underwood, 801 Cumberland street, Gloucester; Clarence Alloway, Blackwood; Charles A. McWilliams, Blackwood; Louis G. Clark, Barrington; Albert J. Cline, 18 East Crystal Lake avenue, Westmont; Robert Bushbeck, First avenue, Pine Hill, Harry Burkhardt, Bell road, Mt. Ephraim; George T. Schuster, 223 Woodland terrace, Collingswood; Chesley L. Hutchins, 711 Market street, Gloucester and Otto Vierling, Evergreen avenue, Runnemede.
The order of Justice Lloyd for a wide grand jury probe of crime follows upon a decision he made 10 days ago to have the same body open an investigation into the “numbers” racket in Camden city and county. At that time he declared he did not believe any graft or corruption existed in the Camden police department in connection with the operation of the lottery game here.
Tenerelli was identified, Colsey said, as a frequenter of Mrs. Emma Heisler’s disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street, where Feitz was killed, and was booked as a material witness in the Feitz murder, and on a charge of “shaking down” Mrs. Heisler by force, prior to the murder.
Unlike Mrs. Heisler, who leaped to her death after 60 hours freedom in the detective bureau, Blair was slapped without bail into the “cold storage” or incommunicado cell in the bureau.
Blair, after surrendering to Colsey, was sent to the “downstairs” jail and kept there until about 4 p. m. yesterday. Then he was questioned for an hour and a half by Prosecutor Orlando and Colsey.
Blair denied all knowledge of the murder, Colsey said, after the grilling ceased, but added that two inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s house, whom he would not identify, named Blair as one of several men who had come several times to Mrs. Heisler’s place, attempted to extort money from her and, failing, had “held up the place” or a “shakedown.”
This coincided with the statement of Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner, on the day Feitz was killed, that the place had been held up several times, and Mrs. Heisler, because of the nature of her occupation, would not report the holdups.
Prosecutor Orlando, subsequently, had stated that Feitz met death in an attempt to block a “shake-down” holdup of the place.
Boxer Is Identified
Both the inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s place, held incommunicado, looked at Blair in the new detective bureau “lineup” room and identified him as a shakedown visitor, but said he was not in the house on the night of the murder, Colsey said.
The chief then was asked if he believes friends of Blair staged the fatal shake-down and killed Feitz, and replied:
“That’s what we want to know. We don’t know yet. But we are getting somewhere and will solve this case.”
The two inmates of the Heisler house were brought back to the lineup room a second time, took another look at Blair through the screen that made him a “high-lighted” figure and prevented him from seeing them and reaffirmed their previous statements, Colsey said.
Upon the suspension of the twelve members of the force and the installation of a new acting second district commander and new acting sergeants to relieve those suspended, Chief Colsey said he issued the following order to the entire department:
Calls for Cleanup
“All vice must be eliminated absolutely and entirely in Camden. This means all types of vice, including the numbers racket, gambling houses, disorderly houses, horse-race bookmaking speakeasies and everything else though it may not be specifically enumerated here.
“In the future if any complaint of vice comes in, and is proved to be justified, and is attributable to negligence on the part of any patrolmen of police officer [sic], immediate suspension of the negligent members of the force will follow without exception.”
Chief Colsey also said he will recommend that bail of $2000 be set in all numbers racket cases in future, and that all arrested be held for grand jury action, except in cases where innocent players are brought in.
‘Prompted by Facts’
In making public the suspensions of the policemen, Chief Colsey said his action was “prompted by facts” uncovered during the course of his investigation.
In announcing the taking over of the murder investigation, Prosecutor Orlando said:
“As a result of my conference with Justice Lloyd it has been decided that the prosecutor’s office from this time on will take charge of the murder investigation.
“In doing so, however, it does not mean that the city police will cease acting in the matter and will act with just as much zeal as is within their command in bringing about the apprehension of those responsible.
“This investigation has been taken over by this office by reason of the policy assumed in other murder investigations. Hereafter all murder investigations in Camden county will be under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office and at the same time through co-ordinated efforts of this office and the police department of the particular community where the murder takes place.
“As far as developments are concerned, there is nothing new in the case except the arrest of Mickey Blair, who was surrendered by his counsel and who is in the custody of the police until he is committed.”
Lieutenant Walter Welch in command of the Third Police District was assigned by Chief Colsey to replace Lieutenant Bakley and make the suspensions of all sergeants and patrolmen in that precinct effective immediately. Sergeant John Potter of the Third District was named an acting lieutenant to replace Lieutenant Welch as commander of that precinct.
Welch said he will instruct every policeman under his new command that he must work in harmony with earnest efforts to stamp out vice.
“If they do not do this,” Welch said, “I do not want them. They will be of no use to me. They know what to expect if they fail to cooperate. My efforts will be directed to maintaining order without vice in the Second district, just as I have done in the Third.”
Tenth Arrest Made Here in Numbers Quiz
Camden Courier-Post —
1 ADMITS GUILT AND POLICE SAY LINKS OTHERS
Klosterman Named by Man Found With Slips on Him After Arrest
3 BIG BANKS INVOLVED IN MOVE TO CLEAN UP
Others Must Face Trial; More Arraigned and Bonds Fixed By Court — Campaign Against Writers Pushed With Feitz Probe — ALLEGED ‘BARON’ IS HELD IN BAIL — Mayor Pledges Aid of Camden Cops to State on Illicit Liquor
Arrests in the numbers racket in Camden continued today simultaneously with the continuation of the inquiry into the murder of City Detective William T. Feitz Jr.
With the Feitz slaying probe in its eleventh day—the detective was slain September 2 at 243 Sycamore Street, an alleged disorderly house—city and county authorities were still questioning witnesses in an endeavor to obtain sufficient evidence to name the murderer or murderers.
The arrest this morning of Crawford Smith, 51, of 702 Carman Street, as a numbers writer, brought the total of those apprehended this week in the numbers racket to 10.
At the same time Police Judge J. Harry Switzer held Fred Klosterman, 33, of 1050 Mechanic Street, in $5000 bail for the grand jury on a charge of operating a numbers game.
Klosterman’s brother, Joseph Klosterman, 35, of 1400 Mechanic Street, was released in $3000 bail yesterday by Judge Switzer on a charge of operating a numbers lottery.
The Klostermans, according to police, are among the topnotch numbers barons of the city. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
No Testimony Taken
Fred Klosterman surrendered voluntarily yesterday afternoon when he learned that police were seeking him as an alleged numbers operator.
He was arraigned in police court today on complaint of George Zeitz, a city detective, who charged him with operating a numbers game. Police did not reveal where Fred Klosterman allegedly operated.
There was no testimony taken at the hearing of Fred Klosterman. His bail bond was signed by John Zubien. Police say they do not know Zubien’s address. Mrs. Anna Bubnoski, of 1426 Mount Ephraim Avenue, posted the $3000 bail for Joseph Klosterman. Zeitz also had made complaint against him.
Fred Klosterman surrendered yesterday, according to police, after a defendant in police court testified that he was employed at an alleged numbers bank operated by Fred Klosterman. Zeitz swore to a warrant for Fred Klosterman’s arrest based on the police information, he said.
Hearing Tomorrow
Smith, who was arrested by George Clayton, a policeman, will be given a hearing in police court tomorrow as an alleged numbers writer.
Meanwhile no disposition was made in the case of Mrs. Mollie Schwartz, 42, who was arrested yesterday on a charge of operating a still at a double dwelling at 3404 Rosedale Avenue. Police Lieutenant John Potter said the woman admitted operating the still.
A man said to be a brother of Mrs. Schwartz fled in his undershirt at the time of the raid, as Sergeant Edward Hahn and Policeman Joseph Keefe were making the arrest and seizure. The seizure included 13 barrels of alleged mash, a stove, one cooler, three gallons of liquor, and a 75 gallon still. Police reported that one of two cars without license tags which had been parked in front of the house disappeared later.
Cops to Aid State
Strict cooperation with the State Alcoholic Beverages Commission in the detection, closing up, and prosecution of speakeasies is being given by the Camden Police Department.
That statement was made today by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, who is the director of the department of public safety, and came as a result of an interview which Howard B. Dyer, an investigator with the state beverage commission had with the mayor. Dyer was formerly deputy city clerk.
“Dyer came in and asked for the cooperation of the police department,” said Mayor Stewart, “and I told him we would cooperate fully.”
The state alcoholic beverage commission, through its investigators, has been busy in running down speakeasies, stills and other illicit liquor practices.
Where Police Seized Still, After Year’s Operation
Camden Courier-Post —
This double dwelling, at 3404 Rosedale avenue, was the scene of a still seizure early yesterday, after it had been operating one year, according to a neighbor. The occupant, Mrs. Mollie Schwartz, 46, was arrested and admitted she operated the plant, according to Acting Lieut. of Police John Potter. A man said to be a brother of the woman, fled in his undershirt, while Sergt. Edward Hahn, recently transferred to Third district duty from the traffic division, and Patrolman Joseph Keefe were making the arrest and seizure. Eleven barrels of mash, a stove, one cooler and three gallons of liquor were seized with the 75-gallon still in the house, police reported. One of two cars without license tags, which were parked in front of the house when raided, disappeared later.
Mickey Blair Admits Visit to Heisler Home on Fatal Night
Camden Courier-Post —
Mickey Blair Admits Visit to Heisler Home on Fatal Night
Boxer Tells of His Attempt to Borrow Money From Woman
STEWART LAUNCHES BANK ACCOUNT PROBE
Mickey Blair yesterday admitted to the Courier-Post that he was in Mrs. Emma Heisler’s house trying to borrow money a few hours before Detective William T. Feitz was shot to death.
Mayor Roy R. Stewart, at the same time, announced that he will launch an investigation of the bank accounts of “certain policemen” to determine their wealth.
The two statements summarized the day’s progress in the search for Feitz’s slayers and in the mayor’s investigation of police connections with vice graft.
Blair not only admitted to a newspaperman that he was in Mrs. Heisler’s house to negotiate a loan a few hours before the slaying but charged the police with manufacturing a fake alibi for him, for the purpose of tearing it down later.
Reports that patrolmen drawing from $25.50 to $36 a week were owners of expensive automobiles and spending money lavishly and still were amassing fortunes were believed to have stimulated the mayor to action in his bank account probe.
He would not amplify his statement other than to say that he will question those policemen whom he desires to question and are now on leave when they return.
In his broadside against the police, Blair said:
“Chief Colsey lies if he says police have broken down my alibi. I have no alibi, only that I know nothing about this murder.
“I told Lieutenant Ward, after I had voluntarily walked into detective bureau, where I had been from Saturday night until last Monday. At no time did I say that I was in New York at the time of the shooting.
“I told them I was at a roadhouse in Berlin at the time of the shooting, that I returned to Camden on Sunday and remained here for the funeral of my brother-in-law on Monday. I did not leave for New York until Tuesday afternoon, almost three days after the killing of Feitz, and I did not know they wanted to question me then, or I would not have gone away.
“Police have given out statements to the effect that I told them I was in New York at the time of the shooting. That is a lie. Many of my friends and acquaintances saw me Saturday night at Berlin and others saw me the following day and on Monday. I can prove everything I have told the police to be true.
“I knew Emma Heisler and have known her for several years. I wouldn’t say she was a close friend, but I did know her fairly well. Police have accused me of attempting to shake her down for money. That is not my racket.
“I did attempt to borrow from Emma on Saturday, but I can’t see anything wrong in that. I tried several friends, because I needed a little money at the time to purchase flowers for my brother-in-law’s funeral.
She Promised Loan
“When I saw her early Saturday night, she told me to come back on Monday and she would lend me the money. I was thankful because of the favor, so why should I try to do the woman any harm?
“Police say I am the ’finger-man’ in the shooting. That makes me laugh. They know they haven’t a shred of evidence to prove such a lie. They’ve got to hang it on somebody, so they blame it on me.
“It’s been the same in all big cases. Somebody has to get blamed. It was just unfortunate for me that I happened to be talking with Mrs. Heisler a short time before the slaying. I had nothing to hide when I went to her for a loan and I have nothing to hide now.
“Two or three persons were there when I asked to borrow the money. Do you think anyone who was attempting to frighten the woman would do it before all these witnesses? I knew this woman when she had a place down the street from where Feitz was shot. I knew her when she conducted many other places in the city, and she knew me. I would have been crazy to try anything wrong with her, even if I wanted to, which I didn’t, because everybody in Camden knows me and would recognize me.
Says He Attended Wake
“I told police that I left Fourth and Spruce streets about 1 a. m. Sunday, and arrived at the roadhouse in Berlin about a half hour later.
Many people saw me there. I stayed at the place until late Sunday afternoon and then returned to Camden.
“I was at home all of Sunday night until I attended a wake at the home of my sister on Decatur street. Then on Monday I was at the funeral and Monday night I visited several places in the city. I had made arrangements to go to New York, but postponed my trip until Tuesday after my brother-in-law’s death.
“While in New York I heard from a friend who told me police were looking for me. I immediately telephoned Edward V. Martino, who has represented me in other matters, and asked him to learn if that were true. He called me back and said it was. I told him my business in New York would be completed on Monday and that I would return to Camden at that time and visit detective headquarters.
“I paid my own expenses to get here, and since the time I gave myself up, police have constantly walked me about with handcuffs on. Do you think I would have surrendered to police if I had any intentions of running away?”
Martino Raps Police
“I have told the truth and I am innocent of any connection with the death of Detective Feitz. If police want to give out the true story, they will verify that everything I have told you is what I told them. And every word of it is the truth.”
Martino, who was present during the interview, added that it was “a disgrace” to the police department in the manner in which Blair has been treated since his surrender.
“When Blair gave himself up,” Martino said, “I instructed him to go to detective bureau by himself. I did not request the right to protect his constitutional rights, because it was my idea that by not interfering, the police could not find any excuse in their failure to solve the crime. They not only failed to appreciate the co-operation given them, but are continually giving out so many contradictory statements that the general public is given the impression that Blair is deliberately lying.”
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, meanwhile, disclosed yesterday that the new grand jury will not hear witnesses in the Feitz murder case, or open a probe into vice conditions in Camden at its first session next Thursday.
“Facts in the murder probe and pertaining to vice conditions will not be ready in time for consideration by the new grand jury next Thursday,” the prosecutor said. “The veniremen will act on pending cases, including those of several alleged numbers barons arrested during the last week.”
Meanwhile, the police continued their crusade against the numbers racket, making their tenth and eleventh arrests in a week.
At the same time, Fred Klosterman, an alleged numbers baron, who surrendered Wednesday, was held in $5000 bail by Police Judge J. Harry Switzer for the grand jury. His brother, Joseph Klosterman, was held in similar bail previously, also on a charge of operating a numbers game.
The two men apprehended yesterday were arrested by George Clayton, a policeman, charged with being numbers writers. They will be given a hearing in police court today. The men gave their names as John Geronio, 52, of 1042 Cooper street, and Crawford Smith, 51, of 702 Carman street.
Fred Klosterman is 33 and gave his address as 1050 Mechanic street. Joseph Klosterman, 35, gave his address as 1400 Mechanic street.
The Klostermans, according to police, are among the topnotch numbers barons of the city. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
No disposition was made in police court of the case of Mrs. Mollie Schwartz, 42, who was arrested Wednesday on a charge of operating a still at a double dwelling at 3404 Rosedale avenue. Police Lieut. John Potter said the woman admitted operating the still.
Strict co-operation with the State Alcoholic Beverage Commission in the detection, closing up and prosecution of speakeasies is being given by the Camden police department.
That statement was made yesterday by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, who is the director of the department of public safety, and came as the result of an interview which Howard B. Dyer, an investigator of the state beverage commission had with the mayor. Dyer was formerly deputy city clerk.
An anonymous letter to Camden police led yesterday to the arerst [sic] of Glenn Brown, 48, colored, on a charge of operating a 50-gallon still at 141 Mt. Vernon street. Brown was held in $500 bail at police headquarters for a hearing today in police court.
Brown was arrested by Police Lieut. Walter Welch, who said the still was found in the basement of the Mt. Vernon street address and it had been in operation shortly before the raid.
The technical charge against Brown is violation of Section 48
Illness Causes Shifts for Police Officials
Camden Courier-Post —
Temporary changes in the police department to offset the absence of Lieutenant George Frost, head of the First District, who is ill, and Lieutenant George Ward, of headquarters, who is away on police business, were announced yesterday by Chief Arthur Colsey.
Sgt. John Potter, of the Third District, is made acting lieutenant and placed in charge of the First. Patrolman Louis Schmidt, of the Third, replaces Potter as acting sergeant.
Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, of the Fourth District, replaces Ward at headquarters, with Sgt. John Skolski acting as lieutenant in charge of the Fourth.
Sgt. Gustav Koerner, of the Second District, who has been working in plain clothes, is to report in uniform.
Patrolman John Kowal, of the Second District, is shifted to the First district, with Patrolman William Schultz going from the First district to the Second district.
Sergeant John Potter Retires, Promotion Rated but Denied
Camden Courier-Post —
John T. Potter — David S. Rhone — George W. Frost — Walter T. Welch — Ralph Bakley — Charles Laib — George Ward — Samuel Johnson — Thomas Cunningham — Harry Newton — Herbert Anderson — Burwood Avenue
SERGEANT JOHN POTTER RETIRES, PROMOTION RATED BUT DENIED
Ranked Highest in Test for Lieutenant 10 Years Ago
25 YEARS SPENT IN PUBLIC SERVICE
SERGT. JOHN POTTER — Who retired on a pension yesterday after 25 years service as a policeman.
Although he was high man on a list of 10 to successfully pass the Civil Service tests 10 years ago, Sergeant John Potter never realized his ambition to become a police lieutenant.
Sergeant Potter, who served in the department 25 years, retired on a pension yesterday. Inquiry at his home at 298 Burwood avenue revealed he has gone to Wildwood with his family until the Fall.
Police records show that in 1936 he was an acting lieutenant in command of the First district. Later he was transferred to the Third district, comprising the Eleventh and Twelfth wards, where he was back to the rank of sergeant. As sergeant he was night commander of the district. He served in Third district nearly 24 years.
In January, 1930, Potter took the Civil Service examination for lieutenant but despite his high average seven other sergeants below him were made lieutenants by Commissioner David S. Rhone, then director of public safety. George W. Frost, Walter T. Welch, Ralph W. Bakley, Charles Laib and George Ward were promoted in January, 1930. Two others were promoted in April that year. They were Samuel Johnson and Thomas Cunningham.
Frost is now in charge of vandalism. Bakley is acting chief. Ward is in charge of headquarters and Welch commands the Third district. Laib retired and Johnson heads the detective bureau. Cunningham is deceased.
Potter and Sergeant Harry Newton, also of the Third district, were the only successful candidates to pass the Civil Service tests for lieutenant not promoted. Newton died recently.
Herbert Anderson was later promoted from the original list. He recently died.
The averages made by the candidates as announced by the Civil Service Commission at the time were: Potter 89.64; Welch, 87.75; Laib, 87.75; Bakley, 87.11; Frost, 86.31; Ward, 85.83; Anderson, 84.79; Johnson, 84.71; Newton, 83.18 and Cunningham, 81.78.
World War II Draft Card
John T. Potter — World War II Draft Registration Card
John T. Potter, 72, Ex-Policeman, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
JOHN T. POTTER, 72, EX-POLICEMAN, DIES
John T. Potter, 72, retired Camden police sergeant, died Monday in Cooper Hospital. Born in Camden, he lived for many years at 298 Burwood ave., while serving 29 years in the police department before retiring in 1939 as a sergeant in the Third District of East Camden. Since then, he lived at 106 E. Bennett ave., Wildwood. He was employed in the maintenance office of that city.
Surviving are his wife, Laura M.; a son, John C., of Collingswood; a daughter, Mrs. Emil L. Blessinger, of Erlton; three grandchildren.
Rev. J. Francis Peak, pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Wildwood, will officiate at the services Friday at 2 p.m. in the Mason E. Bradley Funeral Home, 3203 Federal st., where friends may call Thursday night after 7 o’clock. Burial will be in Locustwood Memorial Park, Delaware Township.